A History of Agriculture in India v1.c31.s7: Bulls

A History of Agriculture in India v1.c31.s7

Language: English

Bulls

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In the *Arthashastra*, it is prescribed that breeding bulls should be provided for the herds at the rate of four for every ten animals, whether cows or buffaloes.

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The bull capital at Rampurva in Tirhut depicts a vigorous zebu bull.

[Figure: Fig. 172. An Aseel cock, a fighting breed of poultry, with large spurs. Deccani, late seventeenth century. Compare with the figure on obverse of silver coin of Sophytes (Fig. 169) (Courtesy: Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Bombay)]

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[Figure: Fig. 173. Bull capital, Rampurva, Tirhut, Mauryan, 240 B.C. Calcutta Museum. The bull represents the Hariana breed. It is symbolic of the importance of cattle in the economy of Mauryan India Fig. 174. *Top*, Fragment of a torana architrave showing Gajalakshmi and a Nagori bull, Kausambi, Allahabad District, Uttar Pradesh, first century B.C., Allahabad Museum *Bottom*, A Nagori bull It is symbolic of the importance of cattle in the economy of Mauryan India (Fig. 173).

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Fig. 175. An illustration to a Jataka story. Keeping the pots hanging from the roof is a custom still followed in India. In front of the hut are two asses. (Courtesy: Archaeological Survey of India)

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A fragment of a torana architrave from Kausambi (first century B.C.) shows Gajalakshmi and a bull. The Gajalakshmi is surrounded by lotuses and a pair of elephants. The bull, which is a symbol of male fertility, resembles the Nagori breed (Fig. 174).

Cites (2)

Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit
Kauśāmbī